Bag closing and sealing machine



My 2 7, 1941- J. l.. KNAPP 2,243,805

' BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 /55 /Qg'a May 27, 1941. Y 1,1.. KNAPP 2,243,805

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2'?, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheer 2 May 27, 1941. J KNAPP 2,243,805

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 8 sheets-sheet s Z@ ze n :gi-:22221 May 27, 1941. J. L. KNAPP BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 8 Sheets-Shea?l 4 May Z7, 1941. `.1. L. KNAPP BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACIINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 27. 1940 mrs mt QN\ l en!! 4 Y 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 27, 1940 J L KNAPP BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE May 27, 1941.

May 27, 1941. J. L KNAPP 2,243,805

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 In/ventola Jl/fna/v/U www May Z7, 1941. J. L KNAPP 2,243,805

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented May 27, 1941 `UNITED STATES Pirrlalv'rv OFFICE s 2343305 BAG cLosmG AND SEALING MACHINE John L. Knapp, St. Joseph, Mo. Application January 27, 1940, Serial No. 316,019 17 claims. (ci. ca -s) This invention relates to bag closing and bag sealing machines for closing and sealing lled bags.

An object of this invention is to .provide a machine adapted particularly for closing and sealing bags formed of cellulose material, such as Cellophane or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and means for closing and sealing lled Cellophane bags which includes initially holding the bag mouth open. forming a pair of longitudinal folds at the mouth end of thebag, closing the bag mouth by compressing the walls of the bag together at the mouth end, forming a transverse fold across the mouth end and finally sealing the transversely folded portion of the bag.

A further object of `this invention is to provide intermittently operable mechanisms which are -operable upon the lbag in sequence, the mechanisms being timed in their operation through suitable cams. levers and gear trains to thereby act upon the bag at the proper time.n

A still further object of this invention is to 'provide an improved mechanism which is adapted to initially act upon the bag mouth so as to prepare the bag for the succeeding operation and to release the bag just prior to the time the suc- -derstood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a detailed front elevation partly broken away and in section of a bag closing and vsealing machine constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detailed end elevation partly broken away .and in section of the sealing end of the machine.

Figure 4 isa sectional view partly broken away taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 1 showing the initial operation of the bag opening structure and also showing the bag sealing structure in operative position;

Figure 5a is a horizontal section of a -bag opening and holding means showing the manner of opening and folding the bag.

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 but showing the bag closing structure in operative position and the sealing structure in inoperative position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary end elevation partly in vertical section of the sealing device.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary rear elevation partly in vertical section of the machine.

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary end elevation partly broken away and in vertical section of the bag opening and sealing mechanism.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line I I I I of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I 2 I 2 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l3 |3 of Figure 6 showing the initial closing of the bag mouth.

Figure 14 is a View similar to Figure 1.3 but showing the transverse folding of the bag mouth.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary front elevation of one of the bag closing and folding members.

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on the line lS-I 6 of Figure 3.

Figure 17 is a detailed front elevation partly broken away of a duplex bag closing and sealing machine.

Figure 18 is a. bottom plan view of a rotary sealing structure.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line I9 l 9 of Figure 18.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, the numeral 20 designates generally a com- -bined bag opening and folding mechanism, the numeral 2| designates generally a combined bag mouth closing and folding mechanism, the numeral 22 designates generally a sealing mechanism and the numeral 23 designates generally a conveyor or bag shifting mechanism. v

The mechanisms hereinbefore described are mounted on a frame structure generally designated as 24 which extends upwardly from a table 25 carried by a base structure 26. The frame structure 24 includes vertically disposed frame members 21 which are carried by a base 28 secured as by fastening devices 29 to the table 25 at the rear thereof.

'I'he combined bag opening and folding mechanism 20 comprises a vertically shiftable slide or plunger 30 which is slidable' in guide members 9| and 32 carried by forwardly projecting brackets 33 and 34, respectively, whichv are carried by the upright frame members 21. The slide or plunger 30 at the lower end thereof is provided with a pair of rock levers 35 and 36which at their lower ends areprovided with enlarged heads or plates 31 and 38, respectively. The plate or head 31 is provided on the opposite vertical sides thereof and on the forward side with pairs of vertically spaced apart forwardly projecting ears 39 and the plate or head 38 on its rear side is provided with pairs of rearwardly projecting ears 40. The rock lever 35 is rockably mounted on a pivot member 4| extending through the lower end of the plunger or slide 30 and the lever 36 is rockably mounted on a pivot member 42 also extending through the slide or plunger 30. The head 31 of the lever` 35 has swingably mounted thereon a -pair of bag opening ngers 43 which as shown in Figure 1 are normally disposed in downwardly convergent relation. 'I'he fingers 43 are provided with an angularly disposed extension' 44 and a shaft 45 extending upwardly from the extension 44 which is rockably mounted in a pair of ears 39. The upper end of the shaft 45 terminates in an angularly disposed extension 46 provided with an inwardly projecting lhook 41. 'I'he forward pair of extensions or arms 46 of the two forward iingers 43 are constantly urged inwardly toward each other by means of a contracting spring 48.

The arms or extensions 46 engage the opposite edges of a V-shaped cam or wedge 49 which is supported in outstanding relation to the lower end of the slide or plunger 30 by means of a supporting plate 50 formed with a ange 5| which is fixed by fastening devices 52 to the slide or plunger 30. By means of the cam member 49 when the lever 35 is rocked so as to swing the lower end thereof outwardly, the arms 46 will slide upwardly along the upwardly divergent edges of the cam 49 and thus rock the ngers 43 outwardly so as to thereby tension or hold taut one?) side of a bag member generally designated as The head 38 is also provided with a pair of bag opening fingers 53 which are constructed similar to the fingers 43 and are provided at their upper ends with angularly disposed extensions 54. A shaft 55 is formed integral with an extension 54 and is rockably mounted in a pair of ears 40. An arm 56 similar to the arms 46 which is formed integral with the upper end of the shaft .55 is provided with a hook 51 at its rear end.` A spring 58 engages the two hooks 51 carried by the two rear arms 56 and constantly maintains the arms 56 in sliding contact with a nger expanding or rocking cam 59 constructed similar to the cam 49. The cam 59 is provided at its upper end with an angularly disposed extension 60having a flange 6I' which is secured by fastening devices 62 to the rearside of the slide or plunger 30.

A 4second pair of rock levers 63 and 64 are carried by the slide or plunger 30 adjacent the lower end thereof, being mounted on outstanding ears 65 and 66, respectively, which are secured in outstanding relationIto the lower portion of the slide or plunger 30 in a position above the two cam members 49 and 59. The levers 63 and 64 are provided with depending folding fingers 61 and 68, respectively, which are of substantially V-shaped configuration in front elevation and which are provided with relatively long upwardly projecting arms 69 and 10, respectively,

The arms 69 and 10 are secured in any suitable manner to the lower e'nds of the levers 63 and 64. The upper end of the lever 63 is provided' with a yoke 1| between the arms of which a roller 12 is rotatably mounted. The roller 12 engages against' a cam 13 which is carried by the lever 36 above the pivot 42 and the roller 12 is constantly held against the cam 13 by means of a spring 14 which is securedat one end to an upstanding pin 15 carried by the yoke 1| and is also secured at the opposite .end thereof to the slide or plunger 30.

The lever 64 is provided at its upper end with a U-shaped yoke 16 between the arms of which a roller 11 is rotatably mounted and the roller 11 engages against a-cam 18 which is carried by the leverv 36 above the shaft member 42.` A spring 19 is secured at one end to the yoke 16 and at the other end to the :plunger or slide 30 so as to constantly hold the roller 11 in engage- I ment with the cam 18. The two springs 14 and 19 in addition to constantly urging .the rollers 12 and 11 in engagement with the cams 13 and 18, respectively, constantly urge the folding members 61 and 68 outwardly to an inoperative position and in addition constantly urge the levers 35 and 36 to maintain the bag opening members 43 and 53 in an inoperative position.

A cam shaft is rotatably carried by the frame structure 21 being journalled in bearings 8|. The-shaft 80 has a lever operating cam 82 fixed thereto and also has a gear 83 xed to one end thereof. The cam 82 engages the lever 35 adjacent the upper end thereof and is adapted to eect rocking of the lever 35 upon rotation of the shaft 80. A second cam shaft 84 is jour' nailed in bearings 85 carried by the frame 21 and has a cam 86 fixed thereto which engages the lever 36. A gear 81 is also fixed to the cam shaft 84 and meshes with the gear 83. The cam shaft 84 has xed thereto a sprocket 88 about which a chain 89 engages. The chain 89 also engages a sprocket 90 carried by a horizontally disposed shaft 9|. The shaft 9| is journalled in the frame 21 being disposed rearwardly of the slide member 30 as shown in Figure 3.

The shaft 9| has a sprocket 92 secured thereto about which a chain 93 engages. 'I'he chain 93 also engages a sprocket 94 carried by a shaft 95 disposed at the rear of the frame structure 21 and above the shaft 9|. A sprocket 96 is also secured at the shaft 95 and a chain 91 engages about the sprocket 96 and also about a driving sprocket 98 which is fixed to a driving shaft 99. The drive shaft 99 as shown in Figure 3 is journalled in the rear of the frame structure 21 and as shown in Figure 8 a driving sprocket |00 is fixed to the shaft 99 and is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of power supply.

The plunger or slide member 30 is vertically moved by means of a rock lever |0| which is rockably mounted on a support |02 extending between the two brackets 34. The lever |0| is mounted on a pivot member |03 and the forward end of the lever |0| is rockably secured to a pin or pivot member |04 carried by the slide or plunger 30 between the two bearing members 3| and 32. lever |0| slida'bly engages the marginal edge portion of a lever operating cam |'05 lwhich is xed to the shaft 95. The cam |05 is so constructed that the slide or plunger 30 will be moved downwardly relatively fast and will be held in its The rear or free end of the rock lowermost position for a short period and will then be moved upwardly and maintained in its uppermost position for another period in order to permit the hereinafter described operations to take place with respect to the bag.

The combined bag closing and folding mechanism 2| comprises a pair of rock levers |06 and |01 which are provided with bearings |06 and |09, respectively, engaging shafts and respectively. The shafts ||0 and are rotatably carrled by a forwardly projecting bracket or arm |I2 forming part of the frame structure 21. The rock lever |06 is provided with a yoke or U-shaped lower portion ||`3 and the lever |01 is provided with a similar yoke or U-shaped lower portion ||4. f

The lever |06 at the lower end thereof has rotatably mounted thereon a half round shaft ||5. The yoke member I|3 has fixed thereto a pair of semi-cylindrical bearing parts 6 which at one end thereof are provided with a flange ||1 engaging against the outer edge of a yoke arm ||3. The opposite end of the bearing part ||6 is provided lwith a flange ||6 having a groove or guide channel ||9 therein facing the opposite arm of the yoke ||3. The shaft is provided with a pair of half round anges |20 each of which is provided with a key or locking member |2| engaging in a groove or channel ||9. In this manner the shaft ||5 will be rotatably supported in the lower portion of the yoke ||3 so that this yoke I3 may be swung toward or away from the yoke ||4.

A second half round shaft |22 is rotatably carried by the yoke ||4 and rotatably engages a pair of semi-cylindrical bearing parts |23 carried by the arms of the yoke H4. The bearing parts ||6 are fixed to the yoke ||3 by fastening devices |24 and the bearing parts |23 are fixed to the arms of the yoke ||4 by fasteningdevices |25. The bearing part |23 at its outer edge is provided with a flange |26 and is provided with a second ange |21 at its inner end. The flange |21 is provided with a half round channel or keyway |28 within which a key |29 carried by a flange |30 engages. The flange |30 is carried by the shaft |22 between the two arms of the yoke ||4. There are two of these bearing parts |23 which are similar in every detail and the two channels |28 confront each other as shown in Figures 5 and 6 in the same manner that the two channels ||9 of the two bearing parts ||6 confront each other.

The shaft ||5 at its inner end is provided with a conbined bag mouth closing and folding arm |3| and the shaft |22 is provided with a complementary bag mouth closing and folding arm |32. These arms |3| and |32 extend horizontally beneath the plunger or slide 30 and when the two arms |3| and |32 are in operative position they are disposed directly beneath the slide 30 and beneath the opening members 43 and 53 and the folding members 61 and 68.

The opposite or outer end of the shaft member 5 has a semi-circular spurgear |33 fixed i thereto and the opposite end of the shaft member |22 has a. semi-circular spur gear |34 fixed thereto. When the two shaft members ||5 and 22 are in confronting and contacting position with the lower ends of the levers |06 and |01 disposed in operative position, the semi-circular gear members |33 and |34 form a complete split gear.

The yoke I3 adjacent the lower portion thereof and above the shaft I|5 has a shaft |35 rotatably mounted in bearings |36 which are carried by the yoke `I |3. A gear |31 is fixed to the shaft |35 and meshes with the semi-circular gear |33 and also with the semi-circular gear |34 when these two gear parts are partially rotated as will be hereinafter described. In order to provide a means whereby the two yokes ||3 and ||4 may be held against edgewise movement relative to each other, I have provided a pair of arms |38 which are fixed to the yoke ||3 and which slidably engage the confronting edges of the yoke ||4 as shown in Figure 2. A sprocket |39 is fixed to the shaft |35 and has a chain |40 trained thereover. The chain engages about a sprocket |4| fixed to the shaft |0. A gear |42 is lxed to the shaft ||0 and meshes with a gear |43 which is fixed to the shaft The shaft has a sprocket |44 fixed thereto about which a. chain |45 engages. The chain |45 is also trained over a sprocket |46 secured to a shaft |41 which is journalled in a bearing |48 carried by a supporting arm or bracket |49. The arm or bracket |49 is carried by the rear frame structure 21 and is positioned above the pocket or arm ||2. A gear |50 is fixed to the shaft |41 and is adapted to mesh with teeth |5| carried by a fragmentary gear |52. The gear |52 is mounted on a shaft |53 rotatably carried by the bracket structure |49 forwardly of the shaft |41. The teeth |5| are so arranged on the gear member |52 that they will mesh with the teeth of the gear |50 so as to rotate this gear |50 through about one-half turn for each complete rotation of the gear member |52 and thus rotate the shaft members ||5 and |22 for a half revolution. The rotation of shaft members ||5 and 22 to a half turn will effect transferof the shaft member ||5 to the yoke ||4 and similarly effect transfer of the shaft |2'2to the yoke ||3. This transfer will occur for each half revolution of the two shafts 5 and 22.

A shaft |54 is journalled in bearings |55 carried by the forward ends of the brackets |49 and a gear |56 is fixed to the shaft 54. The gear |56 meshes with a gear |51 which is fixed to the shaft |53. A lever operating cam |58 is fixed to the shaft |54 and engages the upper portion of the lever |01. A second cam |59 is fixed to the shaft |53 and engages the upper portion of the lever |06. The levers |06 and |01 are yieldably held into engagement with the marginal portions of the cams |58 and |59 by means of springs |60 which at one end are secured to an arm |6| carried by the lever |06 and to an arm |62 carried by the lever |01.

A sprocket |63 is fixed to the shaft |53 and a 'chain |64 is trained over the sprocket |63. The

chain |64 is also trained over a sprocket I6 which is fixed to the shaft 99.

The sealing mechanism 22 comprises a frame structure generally designated as |66 which is secured to the frame structure 21 at the end thereof opposite from thc bag closing and folding structure 2|. The frame structure |66 comprises outwardly extending supporting members |61 and upwardly projecting supports |68. A pair of yokes or rock levers |69 and |10 are rockably carried by the frame structure |66, the yoke |69 being rockably mounted on a shaftv |1| which engages through a pair of ears |12 fixed to the yoke |69Vintermediate the ends thereof and this shaft |1| is secured to the frame structure |66. The yoke |10 is provided with a pair of rearwardly projecting ears |13 through which a shaft |14 engages. The shaft |14 is secured to the4 frame structure |66. The upper end of the yoke |89 is preferably bifurcated as at |15 and the roller |16 engages between the bifurcations |16 being rotatably mounted on a shaft or pin |11. The yoke at its upper end is bifurcated as at |18 and a roller |19 is disposed between the bifurcations |18 and is rotatably mounted on a shaft or pin |80.

A cam shaft |8| is rotatably carried by the frame members |68 and a cam member |82 is fixed to the shaft |8| and engages between two rollers |16 and |19 so as to force the upper ends of the yokes |69 and |10 apart and thus cause the lower ends of these yokes or levers to be moved together or to an operative position. A spring |83 is secured at one end to the yoke |69 above the pivot |1| and at the other endjs se? vcured to the yoke |10 above the pivot |14--and acts to constantly maintain the rollers |16 and |19 in contact with the cam |82. A sprocket |84- is fixed to one end of the cam shaft |8| and a chain |85 is trained over the sprocket |84. The chain |85 is also trained over a sprocket |86 which is mounted on the shaft 9|.

An elongated electrically heated sealing element |81 is carried by the yoke |69 at the lower end thereof and is adapted to be connected by Wires |88 to a suitable source of electric current supply. The heating and sealing element |81 is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting pins or slide members |89 which are slidable through the two arms forming the lower end of the yoke |69 and a spring |90 engages about each pin or slide member |89 and at one end bears against the forward side of the sealing element |81 and at the other end bears againstthe inner face of one of the yoke arms.

One element 9| of a date stamp is carried by the lower side of the sealing element or member |81.

A second or complementary sealing member |92 is disposed in operative relation with respect to the sealing member or element |81, being provided with a' pair of supporting pins |93 which slidably engage through the two arms forming the yoke |10. A spring |94 engages about a supporting vmember |93 and at one end bears against they rear side of the sealing element |92 and at the opposite end bears against the forward side of a yoke arm |10. A cotter pin or stop member |95 is secured to a supporting member |93 and limits the forward movement of the supporting member |93. A stop member |96 engages a supporting member |89 and limits the rearward movement of the supporting member |89. The sealing member |92 is provided with another datmember |98 is disposed in parallel relation to and vertically spaced above the table 25. The conveyor member |98 is provided with a plurality of bag receiving pockets 208 which are secured in outwardly spaced relation to the conveyor member |98 by a supporting means 201. These bag receiving pockets 208 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distance. between the bag opening and folding structure 20 and the sealingstructure 22. The lower end of the drive shaft 203 has a bevel gear 208 xed thereto which meshes with a bevel gear 209 carried by a rearwardly extending shaft 2|0. The shaft 2|0 is journalled in bearings 2|-| carried between base structure 28 and the rear end of the shaft 2|0 is provided with a rear bevel gear 2|2 meshing with a bevel gear 2|3 carried by a rear shaft 2|4. The shaft 2|4 at the opposite end is provided with a second bevel gear 2|5 which meshes with a bevel gear 2|8 mounted on the lower end of aevertical shaft 2|1. The shaft 2|4 is journalled in bearings 2|8 xedto therear of the frame structure'21. The upper end of the vertical shaft 2|1 has a bevel gear 2|9 fixed thereto meshing with a bevel gear 220 mounted on a drive shaft 22|. The shaft 22| is journalled turn of the operator 224. Each quarter turn of the shaft 22| will likewise eifect a quarter turn of the driving sprocket |99 and thus move a bag by supporting members 230 which are secured ing element |91 which is adapted to confront` nism 2| and subsequently shifted to the sealingA mechanism 22, I have provided a conveyor structure comprising an endless flexible conveyor element |98 in the form of a chain which engages about a driving sprocket |99 and idler sprockets 200, 20| and 202. The sprocket |99 is mounted on a drive shaft 203 which is journalled vertically relative to the table 25. The shaft 203 is Jourvnailed in a bearing 204 carried by a conveyor frame structure 205. The frame structure 205 is disposed over the table 25 and the conveyor to the table 25 and to the table 229. The table 25 immediately below the bag opening and folding mlechanism 20 is provided with a rectangular opening 23|. A bag elevator 232 is adapted in one position thereof to extend into the opening 23| and in another position thereof to be raised to a point where the upper surface thereof is flush with the second table 229. The elevator 232 comprises a platform 233 mounted on a stem 234 which extends downwardly through the opening 23| and through a guide 235 carried by the base structure 26. 'I'he stem 234 at its lower end is bifurcated as at 236 and the forward end of an elevator operating lever 231 engages between the bifurcations 236. A pin 238 extends between the bifurcations 236 below the lever 231 so that rocking movement of the forward end of the lever 231 will effect upward or downward movement of the elevator 232. The rear end of the elevator operating lever 231 is mounted on a pivot 239 carried'by a depending support 240 xed to the base structure 26. l

A lever 24| is rockably mounted on a pivot 242 carried by the guide structure 3|, -the pivot 242 engaging through a bearing or supporth243 which is fixed to the guide 23|. The rear vend of the rock lever 24| slidably engages the pcriphery of a cam 244 which is fixed to the shaft and which is disposed closely adjacent the cam |05. The cam 244 is provided with a relatively long dwell portion-which is adapted to amasar:

hold the lever 24| in an uppermost position for the greater portion of the rotation of this cam 244. The lever 24| is connected to the elevator lever 231 by means of a tie rod 245. The tie rod 245 at its upper end is provided with a. coupling member 246 engaging a pivot 241 which extends through the lever 24|. The lower end of the tie Vrod. 246 lhas a coupling member 240 secured thereto which engages through an opening 249 provided in the table 25. The coupling member 248 is connected to the lever 231 by means of a pivot 250.

In Figure 17 there is disclosed a duplex machine embodying this invention wherein a combined bag opening and folding mechanism 20a is provided which is similar in every detail to the mechanism 20. A bag closing and folding mechanism 2|a is associated with the opening and folding mechanism 20 and is similar in every detail to the closing and folding mechanism 2|. A bag sealing mechanism 22a is also associated with the mechanisms 20a and 2 a and a conveyor' or bag shifting mechanism 23a is disposed over a table structure 25a. The mechanisms 20a, 2|a, 22a, and 23a are operated in the same manner and by the same mechanism as that shown in Figure 1 and the detailed description of the individual parts associated with these mechanisms will apply equally as well to the bag opening mechanism and folding mechanism 20a, the bag closing and folding mechanism 2|a, the bag sealing and dating mechanism 22a and the bag shifting mechanism 23a. In the present'instance, however, a second bag opening and folding mechanism 20h ismounted on the frame structure 21a which is enlarged laterally to support the mechanism 20D. The mechanism 20h is similar in every detail to the mechanism 20 and the description of the mechanism 20 will apply in every detail to the mechanism 20h. A second sealing mechanism 22h is disposed laterally of the opening and folding mechanism 20h and is similar in every detail to the mechanism 22. The detailed description of the mechanism 22 will apply equally as well to the detail construction of the sealing and dating mechanism 22h.

'Ilhe bag closing and folding mechanism 2|a in the present instance is provided with a second pair of bag closing and folding mlembers |3|b which are mounted on shaft extensions ||5b. The closing and folding mechanism 2lb is provided with folding and closing members |3|a similar to theltwo folding members |3| and |32 which are mounted on the shafts ||5a. There are two of these shaft members I| 5a and also two of the shaft members ||5b which are integral with the shafts ||5a and are similar to the two shafts ||5 and |22. ing members |3|b are positioned beneath the lower end of the opening and closing mechanism 20h and are positioned above a conveyor mechanism 23h similar in every detail to the conveyor or` bag shifting mechanism 23. The conveyor mechanism 23h is adapted to operate in a direction reverse from the conveyor mechanism 23a.

In the use and operation of this machine the initially filled bags B are placed in the receivers 206 at a point forwardly of the opening and folding mechanism 202. The bottom of the bag B is adapted to slide over the top of the table 25 and `when the pocket or receiver 206 is moved beneath the opening and folding mechanism 20, the elevator 232 is in a position with the up- 'Ihe folding and closof the bag mouth. At this time also the bag closing and folding members |3| and |32 are in the position shown in Figure 5 In this position they are out of engagement with the bag B. Simultaneous with the downward movement of the plunger or slide member30, the elevator 232 will be moved upwardly to the position shown in Figure 3. This movement is effected by 'upward rocking of the lever 24| by means of the cam 244. Upward movement of the lever 24| will lift the lever 231 which will bring the ele-` vator platform 233l flush with the upper surface of the secondary table 229; The elevator platform 233 will be maintained in its uppermost position until after the bag mouth has been opened and the bag closing members |3| and |32 have been moved into engagement with the mouth end of the bag.

After the bag opening members 43 and 53 are projected interiorly of the mouth and of the bag, the cam members 82 and 86 will rock the levers 35 and 36 so as to move the bag opening members 43 and 53 apart. Coincident with the outward movement of the opening members 43 and 53, they will be partiallyv rotated by sliding engagement of the arms 46 and 56 with the cams 49 and 5 9. Also simultaneous with the outward swinging of the bag opening members 43 and 53, the cams 13 and 18 will swing the levers 63 and 64 inwardly at their lower ends so that the folding members 61 and 68 which are outside of the bag mouth will be swung inwardly to substantially the position shown in Figure 5a. This will form a longitudinal and inwardly projecting fold on opposite sides of the bag B with the fingers 43 and 53 holding the remaining sides of the bag taut.

After the bag mouth has been opened and a pair of inwardly projecting folds formed therein as shown in Figure 5a the yokes ||3 and ||4 will be moved toward each other so as to thereby bring the closing and folding members 3| and |32 against opposite sides of the bag B. At a time just prior to the closing of the mouth and of the bag, the cam |05 will l'ift the plunger 30 so as to withdraw the bag opening members 33 and 53. This withdrawal is effected at a time which will prevent the folded portions of the bag from returning to normal. The yokes ||3 and ||4 are moved at their lower ends toward each other by the cams |58 and |53 and these cams are provided with a relatively long dwell period which will hold the lower ends of the yokes ||3 and ||4 together and bring the shaft .sections ||5 and |22 into contacting relation. In Figure 6, the closing position of the bag B is shown with the two shaft sections ||5 and |22 in contacting reation.

When the mouthof the bag has been closed to Y per surface thereof with the surface of the turn of the gear |31 will cause the gear sections |33 and |34to make one-half turn and this .will

eect a transfer of the shaft from the yoke ||3 to the yoke ||4. The shaft |22 will also be transferred from the yoke ||l to the yoke H3.

At this time the bag closing members |3| and |33 will be given one-half turn in bag closing position so as to form the transverse fold shown in Figure 14.

When the bag B is formed with the transverse fold F shown in Figure 14, the Geneva gear operating member 224 will effect a quarter turn of the shaft 22|. 'Ihis quarter turn will be communicated to the shaft 203'which will rotate the driving gear |99 for one quarter tum and move the pocket or bag receiving member 205 from the raised platform or elevator 232 over the secondary table 229 and beneath the bag sealing mechanism 22. When the bag closing members |3| and |32 are given one-half turn so as to form the transverse fold F, the bag B will be partially raised relative to the carrier or receiver 206 so that the bag B will be substantially entirelysuspended from the bag closing and folding members |3| .and |32.

At this time the cam 244 will lower the elevator 232 to a position for receiving a succeeding carrier or bag receiving member 206.

The lateral movement of the bag in a carrier or pocket 206 is eected while the folded bag mouth is still engaged with the closing and folding members |3| and |32. These members are of yieldable construction so that they will readily release the folded end of the bag upon lateral 'movement of i the associated carrier 206. 'Ihe quarter turn of the driving gear |89 will bring the folded bag mouth between the two sealing members |81 and |92 which at this time are moved to a sealing position under the action of the' cam |82. The sealing members |81 and |92 will effectively seal the folded portion F of the bag mouth under the heat of these sealing members so that when the conveyor |98 is again moved after the sealing members |81 and |92 have been moved apart by the vcam |82, the mouth end of the bag will be effectively closed. By forming a transverse fold at the mouth end ofthe bag, the closing and folding mechanism hereinbefore described will not only close the mouth of the bag but will also have a tendency to pack the material in the bag as the length of the bag is reduced by the formation of the fold F. After the carriers 206 pass from beneath the sealing mechanism 22, the bags may drop downwardly into a suitable collector or receiver.

In Figures 18 and 19, there is disclosed a modied form of sealing structure which is adapted to be associated with the bag opening and folding mechanism 20 and the bag mouth closing and folding mechanism 2|. 'This rotary sealing mechanism 22e is to be substituted for the pincher sealing mechanism 22 and comprises a plurality of complementary electrically heated segmental sealing members 25| and 252 which are carried by gears 253 and 254 respectively, which mesh with each other. Gear 253 is mounted on a driving shaft 255 and gear 254 is mounted on an idler shaft 258. Shaft 255 is adapted to be operatively connected to the sprocket |84 by a suitable gear train, such as a pair of bevelled gears (not shown) so that. the gears 253 and 254r may be rotated at the proper time in association with the balance of the closing and folding mechanism.

What I claim is:

l. A bag closlngrand sealing machine, comprising means engageable within the mouth of a bag for holding the mouth in an openand taut condition, oppositely movable means en- .gageable with the bag exteriorly thereof for forming a pair of opposed inwardly projecting.

folds, means engageable with the bag mouth for compressing the same, .means engageable with said compressing means to partially rotate the compressing means and to thereby form a closed reverted mouth, means for shifting the bag lengthwise ofv said compressing means while the bag is engaged with said compressing means, and means for sealing the reverted bag mouth.

2. A bag closing and sealing machine comprisingbag mouth opening means, means for folding a pair of opposed walls of the bag inwardly, yieldable means compressing the folded walls and the other walls together, means engageable with said compressing means for rotating said compressing means to thereby form a reverted compressed mouth, means for shifting the bag while the mouth is engaged with .said compressing means, and means for sealing the reverted compressed mouth.

3. A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a frame, vertically movable means in said frame engageable with the bag mouth for opening the same,voperating means for said opening means, a horizontally movable bag carrier, a bag elevator below said carrier and confronting said rst means, means for raising said elevator simultaneously with the lowering of said first means, a pair of oppositely disposed folding fingers, means for moving said folding ngers toward each other to thereby fold a pair of opposed walls inwardly, a pair of `compressing fingers, means active after said folding fingers have folded said pair of opposed walls for compressing the folded walls and the remaining Walls together, andmeans active after said walls have been compressed together for partially rotating said compressing lingers to thereby form a reverted closed mouth. y

4. A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a vertically movable plunger, a pair of vertically rockable levers carried by said plunger, a pair of horizontally swingable bag mouth opening fingers carried by each lever, means engaging said levers constantly urging said levers to maintain said fingers in an inoperative position with the lower ends of one pair of said fingers closely adjacent the lower ends of the other pair of fingers, a second pair of levers, means mounting said second pair of levers for vertical rocking movement at right angles to said first levers, a

folding finger carried by each of said second pair of levers, cam actuated means for moving said plunger and for holding said plunger in a lower operative position or an upper inoperative position, means active when said plunger is in a lower operative position for swinging said first levers and bag opening ngers to a bag opening position, means active when said bag opening fingers are in a bag opening position for rocking said second levers and folding ngers inwardly to thereby form an inwardly extending fold in each of a pair of opposed sides of the bag, means active upon initial movement of said plunger and said bag opening and folding ngersf to an inoperative position for compressing the mouth ofthe bag, means for reverting the compressed bag mouth, and means for sealing the reverted and compressed brag mouth.

5. A bag closingr and sealing machine comprising means for holding the mouth of the bag open, means for forming a fold on opposed sides of the open bag mouth, a pair of parallel bag means active-after said compressing lingers have moved to a compressing position for moving the bag to a position for said sealing members acting on the com-pressed portion of the bag.

6. A bag closing and sealing machine comprising means for opening the bag mouth, a pair of bag mouth closing members, a rock lever for each member, a pair of half round shafts secured to said closing members, a pair of semi-circular gears fixed one to each of said shafts, interengaging bearing members carried by each lever and each shaft, cam actuated means engaging said levers for rocking said levers to thereby effect engagement of said shafts and said semicircular gears with each other, and means active when said shafts are in contacting relation for rotating said shafts to thereby transfer one shaft and its associated bearing from one lever to the other to thereby form a fold at the mouth end of thebag.

7. A bag closing and sealing machine comprising means for holding the bag mouth open and forming a longitudinal fold on opposed sides of the bag at the mouth end, means for initially closing the mouth end, means active on said closing means subsequently to the closing of the bag mouth forming a transverse fold across the mouth end, bag mouth sealing means, and shifting means for shifting the bagV from said closing and folding means while engaged therewith in a plane parallel to said latter means to said sealing means for action on the folded mouth end by said sealing means.

- 8. A bagclosing and sealing machine compris-- ing an intermittently operable bag mouth opening means, an intermittently operable fold forming means for forming opposed inwardly directed folds at the mouth end of the bag, intermittently operable combined bag mouth closing and folding means loperable to initially close the bag mouth and subsequently form a transverse fold y across the closed bag mouth, intermittently operable sealing means, and means active after operation of said combined closing and folding means and while the folded bag mouth is engaged between said combined closing and folding means for shifting the bag to said sealing means for action thereon.

9. A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a table, a bag carrier movable in a piane parallel with and above said table, a vertically movable bag elevator carried by said table, `a combined bag mouth opening and bag folding means above said elevator, means for simultaneously moving said elevator and said opening and folding means in opposite directions, an intermittently operable bag mouth closing means including means for actuating said closing means to thereby form a transverse fold at the mouth end of the bag, a bag mouth sealing means, and means for operating said bag carrier to move the bag from'said closing means to said sealing means.`

' 10. A bag closing and sealing machine comparallelwith and over said table, a second table disposed abo've and parallel with said ilrstltable, a vertically movable bag elevator movable from a position with the upper surface thereof flush with said first table to a position flush with said second table, a bag mouth opening means above said elevator, intermittently operable means for simultaneously moving said elevator and saidopening means in opposite directions, means engageable with the mouth end of the bag for forming a pair of opposed inwardly directed folds in the bag, intermittently operable means engageable with said bag opening means and said fold forming means for simultaneous operation thereby. an intermittently operable bag mouth closing means, operating means for actuating said bag closing means at substantially the time said bag opening means and said bag folding means are in operative position, said first named intermittently operable means acting to withdraw said bag opening and folding means from the bag mouth prior to the complete closing of the bag mouth, intermittently operable means operable when said closing means is in bag mouth closing position for partially rotating said closing means to thereby form a. transverse fold Y at the mouth end of the bag, a bag mouth sealmeans, means for shifting the bag from said closing and fold forming means to said sealing means, said bag mouth opening and fold forming means comprising a vertically slidable plunger, operating means for said plunger, a pair of rock levers carried by said plunger, a plurality of bag mouth opening members carried by said levers, a second pair of rock levers carried by said plunger and rockable at right angles to said rst pair of levers, a fold forming member carried by each of said second levers, a cam carried by each of said iirst pair of levers engageable with said second levers to thereby rock said second levers simultaneous with the rocking of said first levers, and rotatable cam means engaging Y said first levers.

prising a table, a bag carrier movable in a plane 12. A bag closing and sealing machine comprising a combined bag mouth opening and fold forming means, a combined bag mouth closing and fold forming means, a bag mouth sealing means, means for shifting the bag from said closing and fold forming means to said sealing means, said bag mouth opening and fold forming means comprising a vertically slidable plunger, operating means for said plunger, a pair of rock levers carried by opposed sides of said plunger and each having a portion. thereof projecting below said plunger, a pair of bag opening fingers carried by each lever, means securing said fingers to said levers for horizontal swinging movement, a second pair of rock levers carried .by said plunger and rockabie at right angles to said first pair of levers, a fold forming lnger carried by each of said second pair of levers, a cam carried by each of said rst pair of levers engageable with said second levers to e'ect rocking of said second levers upon rocking oi' said first levers, means for rocking said first levers, and means carried by said plunger engageable with said bag opening fingers to thereby effect horizontal rocking thereof relative to said first levers simultaneous with the rocking` of said first levers. 13. In a bag closing and sealing machine,

r means for initially closing the bag mouth and subsequently forming a fold transverse of the mouth end of the bag, said means comprising a pair of rockable levers each provided with a pair of spaced arms, means for rocking said levers, a half round shaft section carried by the arms of each lever, a fragmentary bearing element fixed to each arm, a pair of fragmentary bearing elements fixed to each shaft section, interengaging retaining means carried by the bearing elements on each arm and the bearing ele-v ments on each shaft for retaining a shaft section on a pair of arms when said arms and shaft sections are in spaced apart inoperative position, a combined bag closing and folding blade carried by each" shaft section, a semi-circular gear carried by each shaft section, and intermittently operated means operatively connected to one of said semi-circular gears for partially rotating said shaft sections when said shaft sections are in contacting relation.

14. In a bag closing and sealing machine, a combined bag mouth closing and folding means comprising complementary shaft sections, intermittently operable swingable supporting means for said shaft sections, interlocking bearing'` elements carried by said shaft sections and said supporting means, combined bag mouth closing and folding members carried by said shaft sections', rotatable cam means engaging said supporting means to thereby effect rocking of the supporting means, complementary gear members carried by said shaft sections; and means opera- V tively connected to at least one of said gear members for effecting partial rotation of said gear members.

15. In a bag closing and sealing machine, a

bag mouth closing and reverting structureI comprising a pair of combined bag mouth closing and reverting members, means swingably supporting said members in parallel relation for movement toward or away from each other, operating means for moving said members relative to each other, means for rotating said members relative to said supporting means through lonehalf turn when said members are ln bag mouth closing position swung toward each other in a position to thereby revert the closed bag mouth, and means effecting a transfer of said members to opposed supporting means while said members are in a bag clamping position.

16. In a bag closing and sealing machine, a bag mouth closing and reverting structure comprising a pair of combined bag .mouth closing and reverting members, means supporting said members in parallel relation for movement toward or away from each other, operating means 'for moving said members relative to each other, means for rotating said members through onehalf turn when said members are in bag mouth closing position to thereby revert the closed bag mouth, and means for shifting the bag in a plane parallel with said members while said members are in bag mouth reverting position.

/ 1'?. A bag closing and sealing machine comshafts and said members with the flat faces thereof in confronting relation, and means active when said shafts are in confronting relation to effect partial rotation of said shafts to thereby y fold the compressed bag mouth engaging between said members. JOHN L. KNAPP. 

